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Triumphing Over PainLearn how local residents got back to the lives they love

When Should You Opt for Joint Replacement?

Treatments and ExpertsRestore Freedom of Motion

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Getting You Back to Living the Life You Love

“We truly believe in treating the whole person, not just the condition.”–Charles Catron, M.D.

For the healthcare team at Vidalia Orthopedic Center, putting a patient’s mind at ease is just as important as easing that patient’s bone, muscle or joint infirmities.

“We truly believe in treating the whole person, not just the condition,” says Charles Catron, M.D., one of Vidalia Orthopedic Center’s surgeons.

In an orthopedic practice, this combination of expert knowledge and excellence in caring is essential. Most orthopedic patients have experienced unacceptable limits on their activities. A young athlete may not be able to take the field because of an injury. A mom or dad may become restricted at work due to a repetitive-motion injury. Even more basic job demands, such as standing or climbing stairs, may become too painful for some. Perhaps a retired neighbor no longer fishes or golfs or gardens – or shops or walks for that matter – because arthritis has too severely restricted their range of motion.

These limitations can be frustrating, painful and sometimes frightening. So every member of the Vidalia Orthopedic team strives first to create a friendly, comfortable atmosphere – from the moment the patient enters the office to the final follow-up visit after a procedure.

Vidalia Orthopedic practitioners also recognize the value of partnering with each patient. “We carefully and clearly explain to patients their condition and options, then we help patients choose the best course of action based not only on the ailment but also on lifestyle and activities. We work conservatively,” Dr. Catron explains. “We don’t jump straight to surgery when other options may be sufficient.”

The Vidalia Orthopedic Center’s team utilizes advanced diagnostic and medical technology backed by years of experience to create individualized treatment plans. The team has a passion for restoring patients to their walk of life, whatever that walk might be.

OUR CARE TEAM Charles Catron, M.D.An orthopedic surgeon who also describes himself as a man of faith and a family man, Charles ‘BJ’ Catron, M.D., has found that this balanced approach to life can be helpful to his patients. “It definitely puts them at ease when I am asked,” he notes.

Dr. Catron’s 22-year medical career has consistently centered on orthopedics. He attended medical school at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and graduated with high distinction. His residency in orthopedic surgery was completed at the Greenville Hospital System in Greenville, S.C. He has also completed numerous workshops and symposiums on topics including total hip and knee replacement, surgical technology, and musculoskeletal pathology. Dr. Catron is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Dr. Catron has special interests in knee and hip replacement, and elbow and hand treatment.

Charles Catron, M.D.

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Michael Lancaster, FNPThe two-pronged mission of Vidalia Orthopedic Center suits Michael Lancaster, FNP, to a T. “I hope my patients sense from me both a knowledge of their ailment and the ‘down-home’ care I try to provide,” he says. He also is able to connect with patients and their families because of his own experience as a

patient. “My cancer survival has made me more attentive to patients’ needs and more able to enjoy my time with each person. I hope I can portray to my patients that we all ‘put our pants on the same way each day.’”

“I hope my patients sense from me both a knowledge of their ailment and the ‘down-home’ care I try to provide.”

Except for a few years in renal medicine, Lancaster has specialized in orthopedics during his 15+ years as a nurse practitioner. Board certified, Lancaster pursued his nursing education at Georgia College and State University, earning two degrees there: Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner.

Bradley Young, FNPIf you start a conversation about college basketball with orthopedic specialist Bradley Young, FNP, or about his latest model airplane project, you will learn a lot about his non-professional passions. But the core passion of Young’s life is what he strives to do on the job. “I want to form strong, trusting relationships

with patients and their families,” he affirms. Young has prepared himself to achieve this goal through diligent attention to his academic and clinical experience.

“I want to form strong, trusting relationships with patients and their families.”

Nationally certified as a family nurse practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, Young is licensed by the state of Georgia. He has worked with patients across the life span and in numerous settings during the past decade and a half, focusing his skills on orthopedics for more than five years now.

Young earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing, graduating cum laude from Weber State University. He continued his education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner.

James Fordyce, D.O.Though James Fordyce, D.O., has been successfully treating orthopedic patients in the Vidalia area for several months now, Vidalia Orthopedic Center takes this opportunity to officially welcome him to our staff. Dr. Fordyce joins us from Stephens County Hospital in Toccoa.

His Toccoa connection has come into play already in Dr. Fordyce’s short time as a Vidalia community member. An avid cyclist, Dr. Fordyce participated this past July in a leg of the two-day, 208-mile “Ride Strong” biking challenge. The event, now in its tenth year, raises money for the Paul Anderson Youth Home in Vidalia. Toccoa happens to be the birthplace of Paul Anderson, who is still referred to as the “World’s Strongest Man” after his Olympic and professional weight-lifting exploits in the 1950s and ’60s.

“It’s unusual how things aligned,” Dr. Fordyce told Southeast Georgia Today. “My wife and I and kids lived right across from the Paul Anderson Park in Toccoa and when I moved down here, someone said the Paul Anderson Home is here.” After a tour of the Home, Dr. Fordyce muses, “The rest is history. We got on our bicycles and took off.”

Dr. Fordyce’s participation in cycling has impressed some of his patients – just ask Joe Davis (see p. 6). But more impressive is Dr. Fordyce’s expertise as an orthopedic surgeon. With 17 years of experience working in both a private practice and a hospital setting, Dr. Fordyce is a valuable addition to our team.

Dr. Fordyce earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Akron in Ohio and his medical degree from Des Moines University in Iowa. He completed his residency at Ohio University Core Hospital and Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital in Ohio, and is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon.

Some of Dr. Fordyce’s orthopedic specialties are reverse shoulder arthroplasty and total shoulder replacement, fracture care, knee and shoulder arthroscopy, carpal tunnel and ulnar nerve decompression, and tennis elbow surgery.

Dr. Fordyce is currently accepting new patients. For an appointment, please call 877.210.4972.

We welcome orthopedic specialist James Fordyce, D.O., to our team.

Michael Lancaster, FNP

Bradley Young, FNP

James Fordyce, D.O.

SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTSSudden injury? Broken bone? Urgent pain? Call today and we will see you today! 877.210.4972

Osteoarthritis. When your doctor first diagnosed you with this condition, what was your reaction? “Many patients are fearful when they first receive this

diagnosis,” reports orthopedic surgeon Jim Fordyce, D.O., of the Vidalia Orthopedic Center. “They envision never-ending pain, or maybe they fear being disfigured by the swollen joints or an inability to straighten their back or limbs.” Such fears can be quickly put to rest, as they are highly unlikely outcomes for osteoarthritis patients today.

But perhaps even more daunting for some is the thought of major surgery to replace the arthritic joint. Is such a surgery inevitable, some patients wonder? How risky is it? How likely is it to fix the problem?

There is plenty of good news to address these questions. First, Vidalia Orthopedic Center offers a range of osteoarthritis treatment options, and major surgery is considered only if the ailment progresses to an advanced stage. “But if joint replacement is recommended for you, rest assured that this procedure is safe and effective for nearly all patients,” Dr. Fordyce says.

WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS?A large array of treatment options may minimize pain and slow the progression of osteoarthritis. “This malady occurs when cartilage [the material covering the end of a bone to reduce friction and absorb shock] loses its flexibility or starts to wear away,” Dr. Fordyce explains. “So switching from joint-jarring exercises such as jogging to gentler exercises like swimming is one of the first treatments we recommend. Weight loss also can help save the cartilage.” Sometimes supportive devices such as knee braces or sleeves can alleviate some of the pain as well as some of the wear-and-tear on the joint.

The pain associated with moderate osteoarthritis can be treated with medicine. Simple over-the-counter pain relievers suffice for some. Depending on the degree of osteoarthritis and the patient’s pain level, in some cases prescription pain medicines may be recommended.

Other patients may receive injections of steroids to reduce inflammation, or “viscosupplements” (like Synvisc) to coat the joint where there is cartilage loss. “These are less invasive procedures,” Dr. Fordyce comments. “They don’t require

surgery and a recovery period as a joint replacement does, plus they come with fewer side effects.”

Sometimes fluid may accumulate at an arthritic joint. A very simple outpatient procedure can be employed to drain the fluid and relieve any problems it may cause. Another less- invasive surgical procedure is arthroscopy, which may be used to remove damaged cartilage.

The orthopedic specialists at Vidalia Orthopedic Center work closely with patients to determine which of the above treatments may relieve their osteoarthritic symptoms or slow the progression of the disease. “Each patient’s lifestyle, activities, physical condition and other factors come into play,” Dr. Fordyce says. “We determine the best course of action for each individual patient in partnership with that patient.”

WHEN AND WHY SHOULD YOU CONSIDER JOINT REPLACEMENT?The primary reason to consider joint replacement, of course, is if you have found that these other treatments are not adequately addressing your pain and other symptoms. “We encourage patients to opt for a joint replacement only when they come to believe it is their best choice,” Dr. Fordyce notes, “and then we work with them to ensure that they feel ready to move forward with the surgery.”

Vidalia Orthopedic Center believes in fully preparing you for what to expect from your joint replacement before you have the operation. We offer a Joint Replacement Class for any member of the public considering a joint replacement. From prepping your home before your surgery to recovery tips to a question-and-answer session with an expert, this class is a must if you’re considering a joint replacement.

If you choose to have joint replacement surgery with Vidalia Orthopedic Center, we perform any necessary exams and diagnostic tests to thoroughly assess your condition. Our staff then learns more about your lifestyle and needs. We answer any questions you have in clear language – not medical jargon. Then we schedule your procedure.

Plan to spend a few days at the hospital following joint replacement. From there, most joint replacement patients recover at home with the help of a home health nurse and a physical therapist. Some patients choose to begin their recovery at a rehabilitation facility prior to home recovery. Our orthopedic team can help you to make the right decision for you.

For a same-day appointment to discuss treatment options for shoulder, hip or knee pain, please call 877.210.4972.

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The what, when and why of Joint Replacement

Cartilage begins

to break down,

causing the joint

space to narrow.

By stage IV, 60

percent of the

cartilage is lost.

OSTEOARTHRITIS

Hip Replacement Gave Newbern Barwick the Freedom to Farm Again

Like most farmers, Newbern Barwick has worked hard throughout his 79 years. When debilitating trouble with his legs hindered his life’s work, Barwick soldiered on for the better part of a year. But during a visit to his doctor for regular monitoring of his blood pressure, Barwick mentioned his leg trouble to her. The problem turned out to be from his hip, not his leg.

Barwick’s doctor referred him to Vidalia Orthopedic Center for an expert opinion about his orthopedic needs. After carrying out a complete workup of Barwick’s condition, orthopedic surgeon BJ Catron recommended total hip replacement.

Barwick still sounds enthralled as he describes his experience with Vidalia Orthopedic Center. “It went fantastic!” he recounts. “I had no pain whatsoever after the procedure. When I left the hospital, the doctor gave me some pain pills. But I only took one of those pills.” He attributes this great result to the support of both Vidalia Orthopedic Center and his church family.

Barwick currently farms about 15 acres. Following hip replacement, he says, “I had to take my time. I walked with a walker for about three weeks, then a walking cane.” Barwick resumed most of his activities about three months after the surgery. “I worked hard all my life, and that’s one thing that helped with the recovery,” he believes.

Today, Barwick enjoys the freedom that hip replacement has bestowed upon him. “I do anything I want to do,” he says, “and it don’t bother me a bit.”

Knee pain while climbing stairs is often the first sign

of osteoarthritis.*

Newbern Barwick

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Our joint replacement class is open to the community and will walk you through the entire joint replacement process.

Presented by nurse educator Sharon Proctor, this class will also have a physical therapist and discharge planner on hand to answer your questions.

Joint Replacement Class

First Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.

Call 912.538.0040 to reserve your spot.

Learn More

Considering Joint Replacement?

*Source: 2015 University of Leeds study

Best Use of His TimeJoe Davis – Knee Arthroscopy

For most of the 31 years that Joe Davis has worked in grocery meat departments, he has had no trouble with his knees. But this changed a few years ago, and it hampered Davis on the job. “I experienced a fullness in the back of my knees,” he recalls. “And it kept getting worse.”

The team at Vidalia Orthopedic Center diagnosed a torn meniscus in Davis’ left knee. When a cortisone shot did not provide the needed relief, Davis underwent a successful knee arthroscopy (also called a “knee scope”) in which small imaging and surgical devices are used to repair joint damage. A successful procedure, yes — but Davis returned to work before the recommended recovery time. The end result was another torn meniscus, this time in Davis’ overworked right knee.

Orthopedic surgeon Jim Fordyce, D.O., had joined the Vidalia Orthopedic Center team by the time Davis’ right knee required repair. Knowing Davis’ history, Dr. Fordyce worked diligently to ensure a full recovery in an efficient amount of time. First, he performed the second knee scope promptly. “My right

knee was diagnosed on Tuesday, and the surgery was performed that Friday,” Davis says. Then Dr. Fordyce monitored Davis’ progress and guided him so that he did not overdo his rehabilitation or return to work too soon. As a result, Davis has regained full, pain-free use of his right knee. “There’s no limp,” he happily reports.

“Dr. Fordyce worked with me straight from day one. He kept me close until he was sure that I was ready to return to work.”

Davis is grateful for Dr. Fordyce’s caring oversight of his procedure and recovery. Moreover, Dr. Fordyce has served as an inspiration. “He’s three months older than me and rides 10 miles a day. So I’m getting in better shape now because of Dr. Fordyce.”

All of Her Questions AnsweredPriscilla Elmore – Toe Fusion

“McRae is extremely small,” Priscilla Elmore explains about her hometown. “Most things center around church, and for church events you’re on your feet a lot.” So when Elmore began having trouble with a painful toe, it became more and more challenging to be involved in her community. “It kept getting worse to the point where I could hardly walk,” she recalls.

An X-ray performed at Vidalia Orthopedic Center revealed the culprits: severe arthritis and bone spurs were

present in the toe. In keeping with Vidalia Orthopedic Center’s conservative approach, orthopedic surgeon BJ Catron first treated Elmore with a steroid cream. “It helped a bit, but not much,” she says. Eventually, her toe’s condition deteriorated. “It got to the point that it would throb even when I went to bed at night.”

Fortunately, orthopedic surgeon Jim Fordyce joined the Vidalia Orthopedic team at the same time that surgery was recommended for Elmore. Dr. Fordyce is qualified and experienced in performing the specific kind of surgery Elmore required. Called toe fusion, the surgery stabilizes the toe and

relieves pain by immobilizing the toe joint with

surgical screws.

Elmore has held Dr. Fordyce in high regard from the very first time she met him. “His rapport is fantastic,” she says. “He takes the time to explain everything and to answer my questions. And his explanations didn’t go over my head.” Likewise, Elmore found the Vidalia Orthopedic staff to be “extremely nice. Every time I went to see them it was a pleasant experience.”Receiving help nearby was an added

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“[Dr. Fordyce] takes the time to

explain everything and to answer my questions. And his explanations didn’t go over my head.”

Each Step of the WayPatient Experiences with Vidalia Orthopedic Center

“Dr. Fordyce worked with me straight from day one. He kept me close until he was sure that I was ready to return to work.”

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bonus for Elmore. “Many people go to the big city for medical procedures. I’m glad I could go just down the road to Vidalia.”

The results of the surgery, too, have been a welcome relief. “I don’t hurt anywhere,” Elmore reports. She’s been able to resume her church and community activities. “Before it would hurt; but I don’t have to worry about that anymore.”

Able to Stay on the JobCynthia Fountain – Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

As with many occupations, driving a school bus requires full use of one’s hands and arms. It also involves repetitive motions, the kind that can lead to orthopedic problems. Cynthia Fountain knows this firsthand.

An 18-year veteran school bus driver, Fountain began experiencing occasional numbness and pain in her hands. These troubles progressed over a few years. When they advanced from an occasional to a regular after-effect of her job, Fountain knew she would have to take action. “But I kept putting it off,” she recalls, “because I was scared.” Fountain has a friend who underwent corrective surgery for a similar problem, “and she still has issues with her hands.”

Finally Fountain garnered the courage to consult her family doctor, who referred her to Vidalia Orthopedic Center and orthopedic surgeon BJ Catron.

From the moment Fountain entered the Vidalia Orthopedic office, the team there was able to calm her fears. “All of them were great, starting with the receptionist,” she says. “She is so sweet!” The receptionist picked up on Fountain’s nervousness and reassured her that

everything would be fine. “And I was just coming in for an appointment, not for the surgery.”

A procedure performed at the center uncovered how much nerve damage Fountain had suffered. She was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and scheduled for carpal tunnel

release surgeries – one for each hand

– with Dr. Catron.

Fountain found each team member along the way to be “very informative and very helpful. They went through every step, on my level. I don’t like surprises at all! But they explained everything to me as I went. I knew what was about to happen, and what would happen next.”

Fountain was able to schedule the surgeries in the late spring, using some sick leave and the summer to recover. “Everything went so smoothly,” she declares. Surgery was performed on her right hand first. “Recovery was supposed to be six weeks, but I got along so well with it that they did the other hand in four weeks.”

When the next school year began, Fountain was ready to resume her job. “I have not had any problems,” she reports. “By the time I got back to driving there were no issues.”

Summarizing her experience with Vidalia Orthopedic, Fountain says, “You just can’t ask for better.”

Back to the Fun ThingsDawn Braddy – Knee Arthroscopy

On the job as a magistrate court clerk, Dawn Braddy felt her knee “pop” one Friday while working in the judge’s chambers. “It blew up over the weekend,” she says, “but my doctor didn’t see anything on the X-ray.” The specialists at Vidalia Orthopedic Center were called upon and quickly identified the problem. An MRI showed two tears in the meniscus. Cortisone shots did not relieve the issue, and orthopedic surgeon Jim Fordyce recommended knee arthroscopy to repair the damage.

Braddy has had other surgical procedures, and because of her history of blood clots she recuperated for three weeks after the knee scope; but she reports being free of pain within two weeks. On the way to a follow-up visit 25 days after the procedure, Braddy took the stairs to Vidalia Orthopedic Center’s office. “And I hadn’t been

able to walk stairs in six months!” she reports.

She has also been able to return to some fun activities. “I can fish and inner tube – I haven’t done that in a while! I couldn’t get in and out of the boat, but now it’s no problem.” Braddy is also very pleased with the freedom she now enjoys to play with her grandchildren. In comparison to her other surgeries, Braddy declares, “This was the most pleasant experience I’ve had.”

“I can fish and inner tube – I

haven’t done that in a while! I couldn’t get in and out of the boat, but now it’s no problem.”

“Recovery was supposed to be six

weeks, but I got along so well with it that they did the other hand in four weeks.”

James W. Price, M.D. James D. Peters, M.D.

Meadows Regional welcomes two Dublin orthopedists.Dublin-area residents have another option when it comes to finding the same great orthopedic care they’ve come to expect from Vidalia Orthopedic Center. Fellowship-trained physicians, Dr. James W. Price and Dr. James D. Peters provide expert orthopedic care at their office at 2406 Bellevue Road in Dublin. Dr. Price is a board certified orthopedic surgeon. He has been in practice in Dublin since 1986. Dr. Peters completed his medical training in 1990 at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center and moved to Dublin in 1993. In addition to practicing medicine, both enjoy hunting and are active members of their church.

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NONPROFITORG

U S POSTAGEPAID

PRINTSOUTH

This newsletter is published as a community service by Meadows Regional Medical Center. Meadows Regional Medical Center is located at One Meadows Parkway in Vidalia, GA, online at www.meadowsregional.com and by phone at 877.210.4972. You are receiving this information because it is mailed to members of the community. If you do not wish to receive further newsletters, contact Elizabeth Harvill, Director of Marketing and Community Relations at Meadows Regional Medical Center, at 912.538.5892. If you have specific concerns about your health, please contact your doctor.

Meadows Regional Medical Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services. ©2016 Meadows Regional Medical CenterA division of Meadows Healthcare Alliance, Inc.

No Premium FeesWhy spend any more on your orthopedic care than you have to? Vidalia Orthopedic Center’s same-day appointments are treated as office visits with standard co-pays – not the higher rates charged by emergency departments and most urgent- care facilities.

See an Orthopedic SpecialistEmergency and urgent-care providers must prepare for any kind of ailment and rightly so. But you can see a bone and joint specialist rather than a generalist – and at a lower out-of-pocket expense – if you come to Vidalia Orthopedic Center instead.

Get Moving Againwith Vidalia Orthopedic Center

From neck to toes, from fingers to knees – if it involves your bones and muscles, Vidalia Orthopedic Center is your source for expert treatment including:

We’ll meet your urgent need.If you break a bone, suffer a sprain or experience sudden joint pain, call us. Vidalia Orthopedic Center schedules same-day appointments at either of our locations.

For a same-day appointment, call 877.210.4972

“We can see you today.”

• Knee and hip arthroplasties (joint replacement)• Shoulder replacements• Hand• Elbow• Sports medicine• Knee and shoulder arthroscopy • Fracture care• Osteoarthritis care

• Reverse replacements • Achilles repair• Rotator cuff repairs• ACL repairs• Plantar fasciitis• Bunion • Bunionectomy • Hammer toes

Convenient Locations

Vidalia Orthopedic Center1707 Meadows Lane, Suite H

Vidalia, GA Hours: Monday thru Thursday

8:00 to 5:00 Friday 8:00 to 3:00

Dublin Orthopedic Center2406 Bellevue Road#15 Erin Office Park

Dublin, GAHours: Monday thru Thursday

8:30 to 5:00 Friday 8:30 to 2:00

One Meadows ParkwayVidalia, GA 30474